Initial fees, royalties, financing, and the costs nobody budgets for.
| Category | Article | Level | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costs |
Franchise Fees Explained: Initial Fee, Royalties, and Ad Fund
The three fees in every franchise agreement, and why royalties on gross revenue — not profit — catch new owners off guard. |
Beginner | 7 min |
| Costs |
What "Total Investment Range" Really Includes
What the FDD's Item 7 estimate actually bundles together, and why working capital is the line most often underestimated. |
Reference | 6 min |
| Costs |
Financing a Franchise: SBA Loans and What Lenders Look For
How SBA 7(a) loans work, the Franchise Directory eligibility check, and what lenders actually evaluate before approving a loan. |
Reference | 7 min |
| Costs |
Hidden Costs New Franchisees Don't Budget For
Tech fees, mandated remodels, grand opening spend, conference travel, and local marketing co-ops — small individually, real over a year. |
Beginner | 6 min |